How Long Is “Riscado”?

An actress who has spent years honing her craft finds success is close and far away at the same time in this drama from Brazilian director Gustavo Pizzi. Bianca (Karine Teles) is a talented actress who is still waiting for the big break that will allow her to make a proper living from her art. In the meantime, Bianca takes jobs as an extra and works for a talent agency where she impersonates screen icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Carmen Miranda and Bettie Page for promotional events and private parties. As Bianca edges past thirty, her friends and family wonder if she's ever going to achieve the success she deserves, and her landlady makes no secret that she regards Bianca's ambitions as foolish. However, fate finally seems to be shining on Bianca when she lands an audition with Thomas (Dany Roland), a well-respected French filmmaker; he's very impressed with Bianca's abilities and not only wants to cast her as the lead in his next film but plans to reshape the character to better suit her. However, while Thomas's enthusiasm seems sincere, the process of getting the film from script to screen is slow enough that Bianca wonders when or if it will ever come to pass. Riscado (aka Craft) was co-written by director Pizzi and leading actress Teles, who is also his spouse; the film received its North American premiere at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival.